Embedded Files
When you start a new job, it can sometimes be overwhelming to learn all the procedures of a new school, and sometimes procedures don't even exist. It helps to have a SURVIVAL GUIDE, also called an Operations Manual or a Policies and Procedures Guide.
First, find out what is already out there. Some districts are organized enough to have an online procedures guide. If your district does not have one, it can help to look at others to get ideas. Take a look at these Best Practices from other Districts.
Besides the district policies, it also helps to have a school guide with all the helpful contacts and information needed at the school. You may start by asking if your school has a teacher handbook.
Here are some school Policies and Procedures you can look at to see what kinds of things to put together for yourself. You might also want to consider keeping them online as a Google Site or LiveBinder.
Active Shooter Procedures
Alarm System (Building)
How to arm and disarm.
What happens when the alarm is triggered?
Contact Information
Barcodes:
What is your Barcode Symbology?
Keep records of barcode ranges assigned to Vendors
Who do you order replacement barcodes from?
Do you need a prefix to distinguish patrons from textbooks and library books for your management system? (P = Patron,T = library, X = textbooks)
How to print replacement Barcodes
How to print student Barcodes
How to print class lists of Barcodes
Bathroom Procedures from Elementary Library Routines
Bell Schedules
Board Policies that Govern the Library: Selection Policies, Materials Challenge Policies, Lost Materials/ Replacement Policies
Calendars for Staffing
Calendars for Class Visits
Campus Map - Emergency Exit Routes
Cataloging Information
CDE Annual Survey (See Library Survey)
Circulation System Helpdesk and Customer Number
Code of Ethics
Core Novel Lists
Computer Lab Policies
Computer Manuals
Copier Policy: Do you need a copy code to access it?
Damaged Book Policies (Fines, Discards)
Disability Accessibility in the Library by The No Sweat Librarian (Christa McAuliffe)
District Phone List
Discards - what is your district policy? See Weeding
Drop Procedure - what is your school policy for tracking lost books when students drop (unenroll)?
Emergency Procedures
Entry and Exit Procedures from Mrs. ReaderPants
Equipment Transfer Process (Surplus Equipment / e-waste)
Fine Collection
Hall Pass - What is your policy for students to come to the library during class or at lunch?
Genrefication Guides
Informational Brochure - Do you have a brochure that you can hand out at Orientation or Parent Nights?
Job Descriptions
Laminator - Where is it located, Who is allowed to use it? Who to call for repairs?
Library Plans - District and Site
Lost Books Procedures
Logos - Keep a file of school logos to put on letterhead or websites
Master Schedule
Manuals to Equipment
Maps
Mail - Where is your mail box? Who can pick up mail for you?
Ordering Books - who orders, what account is it paid from? Budget?
Contact information for customer service
Ordering Supplies - who orders, what account is it paid from? Budget?
Paper - who orders, what account is it paid from?
Patron Import - who is responsible? How often is the database updated?
Printers - Write down the type of printer and the replacement cartridge it uses for easy reordering. Who orders, pays for cartridges?
Processing Specifications
Phone Lists
PTA Contacts
Public Library Collaboration - Local libraries and contact information
Reading Incentives (Accelerated Reader, Caught Reading)
Registration
Routines
Site Phone List
Staff List
Student Identification Cards - who prints and replaces them?
Student Schedule Look Up - instructions
Technology - Who to contact for repairs
Tik Tok from the Don't Shush Me Blog
Unit Plans
Workroom
Where is it?
Who is responsible?
What is available?
Make a copy of this template in Google Docs
This page was created for the Library Survival Guide presentation at CSLA 2018, CSLA SR 2022, CSLA 2024Operations Manual Based on a template created by Kathie Maier, AUHSD Retired Teacher LibrarianLinks checked by mrsgteach@yahoo.com on 09/10/2025
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